Improvement in washing-machines



OREN BALDWIN, OF KEOKUK, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN WASHING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,292, dated May 18, 1875; application filed April 2, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OREN BALDWIN, of Keokuk, Lee county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Combined Steamer and Washer, of which the following is a specification, referring to the accompanying drawings, which show a vertical section of the apparatus.

This IIHBlllilOll consists in an improvement on my washer patented August 31, 1869, in combining with it an apparatus for stirring the clothes while being acted upon.

The boiler V is of oblong form, of sheet metal. This'may be any ordinary wash-boiler, without fixtures or parts unusual, except the lid and lid-holder L, and the special parts arranged to be set into the boiler without cha-n ging it in any way. Thelidhasa shaft-bearing, T, and a holding-clamp, L, on each side to hold it solidly. The platform I is of form and size to fit in the boiler V, and has a supportin g-rim around it to keep it at a suitable height from the bottom. The spouts H are placed one at each end of the boiler, and are similar to those in my said patent. The steam forms beneath the platform, and rises through the spouts, carrying a portion of suds, which is discharged upon the top of the mass of clothing, and keeps it Well saturated, while the stirring brings all portions of the clothing into different relations to its action. The boiler is not used full of water, so as to float the clothing, but only with enough to keep a descending stream through all portions of it to cleanse it as it is stirred. The platform I is made with a shaft-bearing, F, in the center, and with a support, K, for it, resting on the bottom of the boiler. This bearing receives the shaft to turn in it. This shaft A fits into the hearings in the lid and platform, and has a handle on top to turn it by. It has two or more Vertical frames, E, or arms to stir the clothing by turning. These are set at a fixed height above the platform, and reach toward the sides sufficiently to stir the clothing, but not so far as to carry it around in mass. This is turned from time to time to stir the clothing, and change it in the mass, so as to be properly acted upon. Flanges on the shaft at T prevent the steam escaping up through the shafthearing.

The shaft and arms may be made of wood or metal, and are stiff and unbending, so as to stir properly.

I claim.

The boiler V, having the platform I and the spouts H, in combination with the shaft bearing F on the platform, and its support K, and with the shaft A and side frames or arms E, reaching toward the sides, all arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

OREN BALD WIN. Witnesses:

WM. REEs, RoBT. Runs. 

